The cost of fuel may be at the lowest it has been in years, but airlines are still looking for ways to cut back on one of the most financially draining parts of flying.
Among these airlines is Air New Zealand, which today revealed its solution to save a little on oil: take more precise routes by flying at lower altitudes.
This is being achieved through a new partnership with aircraft manufacturer ATR to equip the airline’s 68-seater turbopop fleet with advanced Required Navigation Performance (RNP AR) technology.
The tech enables specially trained pilots to fly to lower altitudes with a more precise and efficient route into the airport – allowing the carrier to get to its destination faster and save on fuel.
Additionally, a lower altitude will reduce emissions and help the airline avoid cancellations and delays during bad weather.
Air New Zealand Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan said the advanced RNP AR capability will benefit the airline’s customers with more consistent services.
“This technology will enable us to provide a more consistent service for customers who travel on our ATR aircraft where weather conditions can at times prove challenging.”
David Morgan, Air New Zealand Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer
ATR VP Contracts Fabrice Vautier, said Air New Zealand will beomce the airline become the first ATR operator in the world to use this advanced RNP AR capability.
The first ATR aircraft with new tech is expected to enter operations in 2018.
Air New Zealand has purchased 15 ATR72-600 aircraft, with four to accommodate growth on regional routes and 11 to replace its ATR72-500 fleet, bringing its ATR fleet to 29 aircraft.